How to make friends by lying to them
Sometimes the best way to make friends is to lie. Around the world, people are gathering together to try to figure out if the person next to them is on their side — or is trying to double-cross them. By the end of the process, trickery or no, they’re deeply bonded. Social deduction games (and the […]
Making friends often involves deception. In today's world, people are trying to determine if those around them share their values or are attempting to deceive them. Social deduction games, a category that includes Mafia, Werewolf, and Blood on the Clocktower, have been around for decades. These games involve hidden roles and require players to identify each other through social interactions, such as hinting, lying, interrogating, and deducing.
The Traitors, a popular TV show, and Blood on the Clocktower, a successful board game, have recently gained popularity. Experts believe that participating in these games can foster pro-social bonds and provide a safe space to practice conflict resolution. During a time of increased isolation and polarization, playing these games can help build deep and meaningful friendships.
The rise of social deduction games can be attributed to the growing popularity of tabletop games, which became more complex and engaging during the 2000s. The success of these games is also linked to a shift in human interactions towards screen-based communication, providing an outlet for controlled and consensual anti-social behavior.
Written by urgent.news from Vox's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
